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Conodonts

Conodonts. What are they and Why are they important?. Microfossil: Small fossil, usually less than one millimeter in diameter. Lived in Paleozoic era, became extinct in early Mesozoic. Very abundant: hundreds in just one sample. Conodonts are only elements.

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Conodonts

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  1. Conodonts What are they and Why are they important?

  2. Microfossil: Small fossil, usually less than one millimeter in diameter. Lived in Paleozoic era, became extinct in early Mesozoic. Very abundant: hundreds in just one sample.

  3. Conodonts are only elements • Made of apatite, the elements are only preserved part of actual animal. • Contain a basal cavity and a cusp which has protrusions appearing. • Thought to be used as a filter device.

  4. Over 1500 Species!

  5. Importance • Because there are so many, they can be used to help correlate areas of time in the Paleozoic. • Conodonts elements can be used to figure out the climate changes in the Paleozoic. • Water depth or distance from shore.

  6. Importance Continued… • Global rises and falls in sea level. • The great abundance helps with understanding the evolutionary relationships • Understanding geochemical characteristics of Paleozoic oceans.

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